SCS/SB 767 - This act (1) would change the calculation of reenlistment pay for National Guard members, (2) would modify educational assistance requirements for National Guard members, (3) would include honorably discharged National Guardsmen for the purposes of admittance to veterans' homes and burial in veterans' cemeteries, (4) would establish a "Missouri National Guard Trust Fund", a portion of which is to be funded by part of the net proceeds from the Gaming Commission Fund, (5) allows for a Uniformed Honor Detail to attend and render services for anyone entitled to military honors at their burial, internment or memorial service, (6) authorizes the Veterans' Commission Capital Trust Improvement Fund to transfer funds for veterans homes and cemeteries, to maintain the solvency of the Missouri Veterans' Homes Fund and to the Kansas City Liberty Memorial, and (7) establishes an "Education Fund for Early Childhood Programs Fund" which is funded by part of the net proceeds from the Gaming Commission Fund and makes other modifications to who receives transfers of net proceeds from the Gaming Commission Fund.

Below are more specifics.

The maximum payment for the reenlistment bonus and gratuity would be changed from set dollar amounts to amounts equivalent to a designated number of months' pay. The gratuity would be available only to members extending their initial enlistment.

Provisions regarding GPA are modified and "educational assistance" replaces all references to "scholarships". Currently, a National Guard member must have had a GPA of 2.5 or higher in secondary school and to be a National Guard member for at least one year to be eligible for a scholarship. This act removes such provision and instead requires the 2.5 GPA to be maintained at the institution the member is attending, with probation provisions for educational assistance. Residency and financial need requirements for National Guard scholarships would be removed. Part-time students would be eligible for educational assistance.

This act would establish a "Missouri National Guard Trust Fund" which would receive state and federal funds, as well as funding from private sources. Missouri taxpayers could designate a minimum of $2 on their state income tax returns to be credited to the Fund to be used solely for the Uniformed Honor Detail and educational assistance programs. Names and addresses of persons who credit money from their tax returns may be provided to the Office of the Adjutant General for acknowledgment purposes only (Class C felony to use for other purposes). Money appropriated from the General Assembly shall be used only the purposes of Chapter 41, RSMo (military forces) by Office of the Adjutant General. Until the Fund exceeds $1 million, only one-half of money deposited in the fund may be disbursed.

This act would establish an "Education Fund for Early Childhood Programs Fund", which would be funded by part of the net proceeds in the Gaming Commission Fund, beginning in Fiscal Year 1998. This newly established Fund would be used to prepare children to enter school. No less than 80% of such funds shall be appropriated to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for voluntary, school district-linked pre-kindergarten education and care programs for children from age 3 until they are eligible to enter kindergarten. The Department awards such funds to school districts through competitive grants and the school districts may contract with private pre-kindergarten education and care programs for such children. Minimum requirements for grant applications are detailed. No less than 10% of the Education Fund for Early Childhood Programs Fund shall be appropriated to the Department of Social Services to increase child care facilities reimbursements for low income children by 20%.

Currently, through July 1, 2000, unencumbered funds of the Gaming Commission Fund are transferred to the Veterans' Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund. This act states that remaining net proceeds (total revenues less total expenditures and total transfers) shall be distributed to the Veterans' Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund for Fiscal Year 1998 and prior years. The Veterans' Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund is authorized to make fund transfers for construction, maintenance, renovation or equipment needs of veterans' homes and veterans' cemeteries, to the Missouri Veterans' Homes Fund to maintain the solvency of that fund, and to the Kansas City Liberty Memorial Fund for the restoration, renovation and maintenance of the Liberty Memorial and museum. Transfers to the Liberty Memorial Fund shall not exceed $5 million in any one year and no more than $7 million total.

Beginning with Fiscal Year 1999, remaining net proceeds in the Gaming Commission Fund shall be distributed as follows:

$3 Million to the Veterans' Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund;

$3 Million to the Missouri National Guard Trust Fund;

All remaining net proceeds to the Education Fund for Early Childhood Programs Fund.

The Veterans' Commission may transfer moneys in the Veterans' Commission Capital Improvements Trust Fund to the Missouri National Guard Trust Fund for burial, internment and memorial services performed by the uniformed honor detail.

Additionally, under current law, unencumbered funds transferred to the Veteran's Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund may be used only for construction, maintenance or renovation of veterans homes and cemeteries. This act allows such funds to be used also for equipment needs of veterans' homes and cemeteries, and for the operation of the cemeteries.
MARGARET J. TOALSON